80-mph electric car to go on sale this summer in the US

Green Vehicles, a company based in San Jose, California, has recently revealed that it will begin selling two lithium-ion-powered electric vehicles early this summer. The three-wheeled TRIAC is a highway-capable electric car (or oversized covered trike, depending on how you look at it) that can reach speeds of 80 mph. There's also the BUCKSHOT, an electric all-purpose work truck designed for heavy-duty, durable use.

With the two models, the company hopes to liven up the electric vehicle market by focusing on being environmentally friendly and affordable. The TRIAC, which has a five-speed transmission, will sell for an estimated $20,000. Price information on the BUCKSHOT, which has a three-speed transmission, has not yet been released.

Both car and truck run on a 20kW AC motor, and have onboard chargers that can be plugged into a 120V or 240V outlet. Green Vehicles says that the TRIAC can run for about 100 miles on a full charge when driven at an average speed of 45 mph.

Regarding the BUCKSHOT, the company says that "this is a true work truck, with close attention paid to payload capacity, torque, and durability. For deliveries, the BUCKSHOT can come with a lockable cargo shell; for construction, a steel lumber rack; and for all-purpose functionality, a steel body with an extra-long bed and an ample passenger cabin." They suggest that the truck could be attractive to universities, businesses and municipalities.

Green Vehicles also revealed that they are working on two neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) called the Microwatt and the Moose. The company hopes to bring these low-speed, short-distance electric vehicles to market in the fall.